Government To Sell Onions At Subsidised Rates In Delhi

The government has created a buffer stock…

On behalf of the national government, tomatoes are already being sold at a subsidised price by the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF).

In order to relieve consumers from the exorbitant prices of the kitchen staple, cooperative NCCF will begin retail sale of onions from the government buffer stock on Monday in the nation's capital at a discounted rate of 25 rupees per kg, according to its top official.

The National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF), which currently sells tomatoes for the government at a discount, has been given the authority to sell buffer onions.

For the fiscal years 2023–2024, the government has built up a buffer stock of 3 lakh tonnes of onions. Additionally, it has chosen to purchase an additional 2 lakh tonnes of onions for the buffer this year.

"First, we'll start selling buffer onions in Delhi. Through our mobile vans and two retail locations, we would sell at a discounted rate of 25 rupees per kilogram, NCCF Managing Director Anice Joseph Chandra told PTI.

On Monday in the nation's capital, some 10 mobile vans will be sent out, and further locations will be gradually covered.

The national capital's two NCCF retail locations, which are located at Nehru Place and Okhla, will also sell the product, the source claimed.

NCCF plans to sell onions online through the ONDC platform in Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, and Assam.

The government has identified five states for market intervention, enhancing availability by eliminating buffer onions from wholesale and retail markets.

Retail sales will start in Delhi on Monday, followed by other four states after two days. Official data shows an 18% increase in the average retail price of onions across India.

In Delhi, the retail price of onions has grown from 28 to 37 rupees per kilogram over the same time period.

In Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, NCCF has been selling tomatoes for a reduced price for the past month.

When prices in the retail market were over $250 per kg, it first went on sale for $90 per kg. The subsidised pricing has been decreased to 40 per kg now that arrivals have improved.